Bag and napkin holding device



Nov. 4, 1941.

R. l. BAKER ETAL BAG AND NAPKIN HOLDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 24, 1959 Nov. 4, 1941. R. l. BAKER EI'AL 2,261,511

BAG AND NAPKIN HOLDING DEVICE Filed Nov. 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwvmtoe WWW Patented Nov. 4, 1941 BAG AND NAPKIN HOLDING DEVICE Rita I. Baker, Purcellville, and Frank 0. Gibson,

Fairfax, Va.

Application November 24, 1939,*Serial No.'306,008

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a device adapted to be used at the bedside of a patient for holding a carton of unusedpaper napkins and for holding a paper bag to receive the soiled paper napkin as they are removed from the carton, one at a time, and used.

The present application is a continuation, in part, of our application for U. S. Letters Patent filed Feb. 7, 1939, Ser. No. 255,152, upon Bag and napkin holding device.

Paper napkins have heretofore been placed wherever convenient within reach of the patient, and the paper bags have heretofore been attached by means of pins in an insecure manner to the bedding or mattress of the patients bed. Such a manner of placing the napkins and supporting the bags has proved unsatisfactory for various reasons, and the object of the present-invention is to overcome the inconveniences and causes of trouble heretofore involved, by the provision of a simple and inexpensively constructed bag and napkin holding and supporting device which is highly efiicient in use.

The invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bag and napkin holding device embodying the present invention and applied to the side rail of a metal bedstead.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the device of Figure 1, per se.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device when knocked down to require a small space for storage or shipment, one section being nested within the other.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner in which the attaching member of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 engages over the top of the side rail of the bedstead.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a modified form of the attaching member for use in connection with the side rail of a bedstead which is of angular form but disposed with its outer flange projecting upwardly instead of downwardly as in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a further view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a modification of the attaching member adapted for use in connection with the side rail of a bedstead when the latter is of cylindrical form.

Figure 7 is still another view similar to Figure 4 illustrating still another modification of the attaching member adapted to engage over the top of a side rail of a bed'which is of flat form such as found in connection with wooden bedsteads.

Figure '8 is a perspective "View of the construction shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2, of a modified form of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational inwardly projecting flange and an outer dependingflange as shown clearly in Figure 4,

In'carrying out our invention, we employ a bed attachment composed of two sections. One of these sections consists of an attaching member formed of a single piece of spring wire and bent in general U-shape to provide spaced legs 6 which are normally tensioned to spring apart as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2, said legs being connected at their lower endsby an intermediate portion first return-bent upon'the lower ends of the legs 6 as at 1 then directed laterally as at 8 then bent backwardly as at 9 to engage around the edge of the upper horizontal 'flange of rail 5 as shown in Figure 4, the rear endsof the portions 9 being connected by a transverse connecting portion Ill. The intermediate part of the attachment member is thus shaped to engage over the side rail 5 of the bedsteadso as to be effectively sustained in position with the legs 6 projecting upwardly as will be clearly apparent from Figure l. V

The other unit or section of thedevice includes angular jaw members H and I2 formed of stiff wire and arranged in spaced parallel relation to engage within the mouth of a paper bag l3 at opposite sides of the latter. These jaw'members consist of horizontal connecting or intermediate portions vertical side portions 14 connected by the latter, and horizontal portions I5 extending outwardly or laterally from the upper ends of the vertical portions l4. As

- shown, the jaw ll has one of its horizontal portions l5 bent to form an eye H5 at its outer end and then bent downwardly to provide a depending arm I8. In a like manner, the corresponding vertical portion M of the other jaw I2 is bent to provide an eye l9 at the juncture of the portion ll: of this jaw with the adjacent portion I4. Further, the free end of horizontal portion I5 is bent to form another eye and then directed downwardly to provide a depending arm 2|. The arms l5 of jaw H are connected by a transverse rod 22 forming one arm of an angular piece of wire whose other arm 23 slidably extends through the eyes [9 and 20 and terminates some distance beyond the eye 20 as at 24, the portion 22 extending through the eye IS. The arm 23 thus effectively guides the jaws in parallelism as they spring apart due to the tension of the legs 6 of the attaching member which are coupled to the arms I8 and 2| by coupling sleeves 25. are permanently fitted in the sleeves 25 although the latter are frictionally fitted on the arms I8 and 2|. Thus, the attaching member and sleeves 25 may be readily disengaged from the arms I8 and 2| so as to permit the device to be knocked down into compact form for storage or shipment as shown in Figure 3.

It will be further noted that at the juncture of the intermediate portions of jaws II and I2 with their corresponding rear vertical portions 11 [4, we provide sheet metal gussets 25 having outwardly directed prongs 2'! struck therefrom. Thus, when the jaws H and I2 are allowed to expand within the mouth of the bag is, the prongs 21 will penetrate the sides of the bag and effectively sustain the latter in the desired position as well as in an open condition for ready reception of soiled napkins as the latter are used by the patient. These gussets 26 may simply consist of triangular sheets of metal having edge portions thereof bent around the jaw portions l4 and the adjacent intermediate portions of said jaws I l and I2.

The other section or unit of the present device also consists, in addition to the jaws H and [2, a wire basket consisting of a horizontal top frame 23 constituting an extension of the forward vertical portion I4 of jaw 12 and having its free end secured by soldering or welding to the eye 23. The front and rear portions of frame 28 are connected by spaced U-shaped cross members of wire as at 29, and the latter effectively form a bottom support for the carton 30 of unused napkins as shown in Figure 1. This carton corresponds to the basket 28, 29 in size so as to snugly fit within the latter at one side of the bag 13 when the latter is held in open position by the jaws H and I2. It might be noted that paper napkins such as used for the present purpose are sold in flat pastboard cartons having portions of the top thereof removable to permit the napkins to be withdrawn from the carton through the top opening thereof one at a time. As the napkins are used and thereby soiled, they may be readily placed by the patient within the bag 13, supported in open position as before described. Both the unused napkins and the bag for receiving the same are conveniently supported so as to be readily accessible at all times without any undue exertion or special manipulation being necessary on the part ofthe patient. To place the bag l3 in position, it is simply opened and engaged at its mouth over the jaws II and I2 while the latter are held toward each other by springing the The upper ends of the legs 6 each other again.

legs 6 toward each other a suitable distance. The legs 6 are then released so as to permit the jaws H and IE to spring apart until they engage opposite sides of the bag and maintain the mouth of the latter stretched in an open position. At this time, the prongs 27 will penetrate the sides of the bag and effectively prevent disengagement thereof from the jaws H and i2 until the latter are manually pressed toward As shown in Figure 3, the unit composed of jaws H and 12 red 22, 23 and basket 28, 29 may be disposed between the legs 6 of the attaching member. In this nested relation, a compact arrangement will be had that will require little space for convenient packing and shipment. At this time, the legs 5 may be maintained in a position sprung toward each other to substantially parallel relation, by means of a suitable string 39, or the like.

In some cases, the side rail 5a of the bedstead is of angular form, but the flanges thereof are disposed so that the outer flange projects upwardly from a horizontal lower flange. In this case, the attachment member will have its intermediate portion bent so as to provide inclined arms and rearwardly directed short arms 9a connected by a transverse connecting portion hid, the arms extending downwardly as at 3| at the upper ends thereof. Thus, the intermediate portion of this attaching member will hook around the lower horizontal flange of the rail 5a while the down turned ends 3| will engage around and rest upon the upper edge of the vertical outer flange of the rail Set as shown in Figure 5.

Where the side rail of the bedstead is of cylindrical or tubular form as at 5b in Figur 6, the lower ends of legs 6 are simply return-bent as at 32 to provide an eye 33 at the adjacent end, and then shaped in inverted U-form as at 34 with the terminal end bent to provide a second eye 35 alined with the eye 33 to receive a clamping screw 36 having a wing nut threaded thereon as at 31. The U-shaped portion 34 2 is simply slipped down upon the rail 5?) and the opposite legs of the portion 34 depend below the rail 52) to receive the bolt 35. When in this position, the wing nut 31 may be tightened so as to clamp the attaching member securely in place with the legs 6 projecting upwardly in a substantially vertical position. The eyes 35 of the attaching member may be connected by a horizontal connecting portion such as indicated at Ill in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive or at [8a in Figure 5 As shown in Figure 7, the ends of the intermediate portion of the attaching member may be bent in inverted U-shape substantially as shown in Figure 6 but without the eyes 33 and 35 and with the legs ofthe U-shaped portions at right angles to a straight intermediate portion thereof for engagement over a rectangular wooden side rail of a bedstead. In this case, the bedstead rail is indicated at 50 and the return-bent end portions of legs 6 are shown at la with angular end portions extending therefrom at 34a.

As will be apparent, our improved device serves to hold the bag I 3 in its distended position and within convenient reach of a patient lying upon the associated bed. As the sametime, the device also supports the carton 30 of unused napkins at one side of the distended bag also within convenient reach of the patient. When desired, a new carton of napkins may be inserted in the basket 23, 29, and the bag l3 may be readily removed for destroying the same and its contents as "pointed out above. Minor changes in the details of construction illustrated and described are contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 9 to 11 inclusive, the attaching member is composed of two parts, one of which is formed of a single piece of spring wire and bent in general U-shape to provide spaced legs 6a which are normally tensioned to spring apart, said legs being connected at their lower ends by an intermediate portion which is first bent to provide eyes 40 at the lower ends of the legs Ba, then extended rearwardly to provide horizontal arms 8b, then bent downwardly and forwardly as at 9b to engage around the edge of the upper horizontal flange of rail a, the lower ends of the portions 9b being connected by a transverse connecting portion lb. The other part of the attaching member consists of a single piece of spring wire having coaxial portions 4| near the ends thereof journaled in the eyes and having the ends of the same directed downwardly as at 42. The intermediate portion of this part is extended downwardly as at 43 from. the coaxial portions 4| and then inwardly or toward each other from the portions 43 as at 44, the portions 44 being connected by a central portion of angular form and U-shape which projects downwardly and then rearwardly to provide a hook arranged to engage beneath the lower edge of the vertical flange of rail 5a. It will be noted that the ends 42 are directed at a rearward angle relative to the portions 43 so as to engage the vertical flange of rail 5a prior to engagement of the hook 45 thereunder. Thus, when the hook 45 is engaged under the vertical flange of the rail 5a as shown in Figure 11, the ends 42 are placed under tension so as to draw the portions 9b in snug engagement with the inner edge of the horizontal flange of rail 5a. Due to yielding of the arms 42, the device may be engaged with rails having upper flanges of slightly different widths. In a like manner, the arms 44 may spring downwardly so that the hook member 45' may engage under Vertical flangesof difierent widths. With this construction, the portions 9b may be readily engaged over the horizontal flange of the bed rail 5a, without any difficulty, after which the hook member 45 may be readily pressed into engagement with the vertical flange of the bed rail. When this has been done, the device will be efiectively secured in place upon the side rail of the bed, although the device may be readily shifted longitudinally of said rail to any preferred position. Aside from the specific construction described, the remainder of the device shown in Figure 9 corresponds to the construction of the device shown in Figure 2, and remaining parts which are identical in both forms as indicated by similar reference characters.

In the embodiment of Figure 12. the attaching member is formed of a single piece of spring wire and bent in general U-shape to provide spaced legs 61) which are normally tensioned to spring apart, said legs being connected at their lower ends by an intermediate portion which is first return-bent upon the lower ends of the legs 6b as at 1b, then directed rearwardly as at 80. The lower ends of the legs 6b and the adjacent ends of the intermediate portion are formed to provide rearwardly projecting hooks 46 adapted to engage under the lower edge of the vertical flange of the bed rail 56, and therearwardly projecting portions are connected by a transverse connecting portion consisting of arms 41 extended toward each other'and'connected at their adjacent ends bya portion bent to provide spaced ho'oks 48 arranged to engage over the edge of thehorizontal flange of rail 5b and a forwardly projecting lever 49 extending outwardly from said hooks' '48. In this form of the invention, the hooks 46 ar'eflrst engaged under the vertical flange of the rail, after which the lever 49 is pressed downwardly and rearwardly so as to pass the hooks 48 beyond the edge of the horizontal flange of. the rail.. 'The lever 49 is then pressed upwardly and released so that hooks 48 will be engaged over the horizontal flange of the rail as shown in Figure 12. Due to the yielding of arms 41,1the hooks 48 may be engaged over the horizontal flange of the rail even though the latter may be of slightly diflerent widths. The device of Figure 12 will of course include jaws for engaging the mouth of a bag and carried by the upper ends of the legs 6b, constructed and arranged in the same manner as illustrated and described with respect to the devices of Figures 2 and 9. The important consideration is that the attaching means of Figure 12 will provide for secure mounting of the device upon the bed rail with facility and ease and even though the width of the horizontal flange of the rail may vary, ,Also, like the device of Figure 9, the form of attachment provides for application of the device without reaching in under the spring and mattress, the device also being readily movable longitudinally of the rail for adjustment to the preferred position. Obviously, the modifications of Figures 9 and 12 are susceptible to minor changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What we claim as new is:

1. ma device of the character'described, an attaching member formed to provide spaced legs normally tensioned to spring apart, angular jaw members formed of stiif wire and carried by the upper ends of said legs, said jaw members being arranged in spaced parallel relation to engage within the mouth of a bag at opposite sides of the latter so as to retain the bag in distended condition, said jaw members consisting of horizontal intermediate portions, vertical side portions connected by the latter, front and rear horizontal portions extending laterally from the upper ends of said vertical portions, depending arms extending from the outer ends of said rear horizontal portions, and coupling sleeves detachably connecting said depending arms with the upper ends of said legs.

2. In a device of the character described, an attaching member formed to provide spaced legs normally tensioned 'to spring apart, angular jaw members formed of stifi wire and carried by the upper ends of said legs, said jaw members being arranged in spaced parallel relation to engage within the mouth of a bag at opposite sides of the latter so as to retain the bag in distended condition, said jaw members consisting of horizontal intermediate portions, vertical side portions connected by the latter, front and rear horizontal portions extending laterally from the.

upper ends of said vertical portions, depending arms extending from the outer ends of said rear horizontal portions, coupling sleeves detachably connecting said depending arms with the upper ends of said legs, a rear horizontal portion of one of said jaws being formed with an eye, and a guide rod carried by the other jaw "member and slidably extending through said eye.

3. In a device of the character described, an attaching member formed to provide spaced legs normally tensioned to spring apart, angular jaw members formed of stiff wire ad carried by the upper ends of said legs, said jaw members being arranged in spaced parallel relation to engage within the mouth of a bag at opposite sides of the latter so as to retain the bag in distended condition, said jaw members consisting of horizontal intermediate portions, vertical side portions connected by the latter, front and rear horizontal portions extending laterally from the upper ends of said vertical portions, depending arms extending from the outer ends of said rear horizontal portions, coupling sleeves detachably connecting said depending arms with the upper ends of said legs, and sheet metal gussets secured to an end of the intermediate portion of each jaw member and the adjacent vertical portion thereof and provided with outwardly directed spurs arranged to penetrate the sides of the bag for maintaining the latter against downward displacement from the jaws when the latter are expanded to maintain the bag in distended condition.

4. In a device of the character described, an attaching member formed of a piece of spring wire and bent in general U-shape to provide spaced legs and an intermediate portion connecting the lower ends of said legs, said intermediate portion being bent to provide a hook engageable over the horizontal flange of a side rail of a bed and horizontal spring arms extending laterally from said hook and horizontally yieldable to permit engagement of the hook over horizontal flanges of different widths, the lower ends of said legs being arranged to engage the vertical flange of the rail.

5. In a device of the character described, an attaching member formed of a piece of spring wire and bent in general U -shape to provide spaced legs and an intermediate portion connecting the lower ends of said legs, said intermediate portion being bent to provide hooks engageable over a flange of a side rail of a bed and spring arms extending laterally from said hooks and yieldable to permit engagement of the hooks over flanges of different widths, said hooks being arranged to engage over a horizontal flange of the rail, and the ends of said intermediate portion and the lower ends of said legs being bent to provide further hooks engageable under the vertical flange of the rail.

6. In a device of the character described, an attaching member composed of two parts, one of said parts being formed of a single piece of spring wire and bent in general U-shape to provide spaced legs and an intermediate portion connecting the lower ends of said legs, said intermediate portion being bent to provide spaced hooks engageable over the horizontal flange of a side rail of a bed, the other part of said attaching member consisting of a length of wire having portions near its ends journaled in end portions of said intermediate portion of the first-named part, the ends of said second-named part being directed downwardly and rearwardly, and the major intermediate portion of said second-named part being bent to provide hooks engageable under the vertical flange of the bed rail, and spring arms extending laterally from said hooks and yieldable to permit engagement of the latter hooks with vertical flanges of different widths, said downturned ends of the second-named part being disposed at a rearward angle to engage the vertical flange of the rail prior to engagement of the last-named hooks therewith, whereby said ends are placed under tension for drawing the first-named hooks ito engagement with the horizontal flange of the rail when the last-named hooks are engaged with the vertical flange of said rail.

RITA I. BAKER.

FRANK C. GIBSON. 

